Design Thinking Project 1 (DTP1)
1. Semester
10 ECTS | 10 SWS
Continuous Assessment (CA)
From a complex Problem to an Solution: Work with interdisciplinary teams on real-world, complex challenges, apply Design Thinking, develop user-centered solution ideas, and learn how to turn ideas into compelling concepts—from problem analysis to persuasive presentations.
Contents
- Design Thinking Bootcamp
- Kick-off (1 weeks in October/November, getting to know the challenge, usually abroad)
- Independent work on the given challenge in iterations (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test); visits to users
- Biweekly knowledge transfer on topics such as user research, prototyping, user testing, successful teamwork
- Biweekly progress reports, including discussion of (interim) results
- Weekly exchange with the partner team; visits to the partner team
- In the first semester, the focus is on the problem space.
- at the end of the first semester, you identified the design opportunity.
Competencies
Students are able to
- Application of Design Thinking methods.
- Application of System Thinking.
- to work cooperatively and responsibly in interdisciplinary teams, asserting their ideas and communicating their ideas and concepts.
- presenting the results to an larger audience.
- Identify the importance of desirability, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of a solution.
- Initiating actions on one’s own initiative and aquire knowledge independently (action competence, self-directed learning competence)
- dealing with vague and complex challenges (ambiguity competence) and developing creative solutions (Creative Confidence)
Literature
- K. Dorst, Frame Innovation: Create New Thinking by Design, paperback ed. Cambridge, MA, USA: MIT Press, 2024.
- N. Cross, Designerly Ways of Knowing and Thinking, 2nd ed. London, U.K.: Springer, 2024.
- M. Lewrick, P. Link, and L. Leifer, The Design Thinking Playbook: Mindful Digital Transformation of Teams, Products, Services, Businesses and Ecosystems. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley, 2018.
- F. Uebernickel, L. Jiang, W. Brenner, B. Pukall, T. Naef, and B. Schindlholzer, Design Thinking: The Handbook. Singapore: World Scientific, 2020.
- B. Groß and E. Mandir, Designing Futures: Speculation, Critique, Innovation. London, U.K.: Hachette UK, 2024.
- D. H. Meadows, Thinking in Systems: Wie komplexe Systeme funktionieren, D. Wright, Ed., H. Bossel and K. Bossel, Übers. München, Deutschland: Franz Vahlen, 2026.
Lecturer
- Prof. Kirstin Kohler
- Prof. Dr. Anuja Hariharan
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Module Details
| Semester |
1 |
| Lecture Language |
German and English |
|
Frequency
|
Winter Term
Das DTP erstreckt sich über zwei Semester
|
| Credit Points (ECTS)
|
10 |
| Course Coordinator |
Prof. Kirstin Kohler |
| Duration |
1 Semester |
| Study Focus |
Medical Data Science (MDS)
Software Engineering (SE)
|
|
Course Achievement
|
None |
|
Prerequisite for exam
|
None |
|
Exam
|
Continuous Assessment (CA) |
Weekly Hours (SWS)
| Project |
8 SWS |
| Workshop |
2 SWS |
| Sum |
10 SWS |
Work Load
| Lecture |
30 h |
| Project |
270 h |
| Sum |
300 h |
